TMCC signal overhead?

I am not a TMCC expert but... I think the radio frequency signal is not strong enough to do that. The train has a small antenna and it receives the signal from the outer rail of the track, only a few inches away. People occasional have signal problems on large layouts so moving the signal farther away would probably not work.

   TMCC is primarily used in "O" scale trains. DCC would be a better match for your "G" scale layout.  All IMO; Don

If you're talking about the track side of the signal, probably not.  I suspect you're talking about the "ground plane" side, that would probably work.

Don, the small antenna doesn't receiver the signal from the track, it receives the signal that is normally tied to the power connection ground pin.  That's the other "half" of the TMCC signal.

Tie the "telephone pole" wires to pin 5 on the command base per Dale's instructions.  This is used in outdoor layouts where there is no "envelope" of house wiring to provide the other half of the signal.

http://www.btcomm.com/trains/p...mcc/tmcc_outside.htm

So the "antenna" is the ground wire running thru the house? Then the outer rail is the "common" for both the transmitted(command base) and received (locomotive)signal?

 Don

This is a nice link, thanks!

The antenna for transmitting the signal is BOTH the outside rails of the track AND the ground wires in the house (the "envelope").   You need both halves to work properly.  This is why the wall wart for the base has a third prong.

Here's an excellent article by our very own Dale Manquen, probably should answer most of the TMCC signal questions.

TMCC Signal Basics at Trainfacts

 If I may drag this back up...

I just got my first Legacy loco. I wanted to test it so I got my Cab 1 and base and tried just laying a wire near the track. It worked fine. It was not connected to the rail at all. If the loco ran past the length of wire then command was lost.

 I'm intrigued to try more tests as the two command systems didn't get along well on my two rail layout. This may solve some operating issues. Now if Lionel would just make me a two rail engine......

Once we were doing a TMCC demo at a Greenberg show and had forgotten to connect one of the loops to the command base. The loops were not connected in any way. Somehow the TMCC signal from the Command Base worked just fine without being physically connected to the track. The base was only about 12 inches away from the inner loop.

Usually the TMCC signal is fairly strong.

they do!

it's called American flyer.

There have been reports from forum members having test track several feet from the layout without any command base wire close and the engine still responds.

this is because of the envelope created between the building ground and the command system.

Ooops. I mean an O gauge 2 rail!

Hey Joe,

I'd love to see Lionel offer their SD70ACe and ES44AC in 2-Rail with fixed pilots and Kadee coupler pockets. As you know, Lionel has the technology to operate their engines with DCC, DC, TMCC and Legacy.  

Regards,

Frank 

What a great shot that is Frank!

How easy is it to get the wheels out of their modern trucks? I remember guys taking them out to have the larger flanges ground down. I just got my first Legacy engine and will look at the trucks closer now. It rocks a little while running and appears to have at least on axle problem. Maybe I can get a set from NWSL and try.

 I'm very impressed on the speed control now, just testing it for now on a test straight.